What Is the Meaning of Falling Blood Pressure Among Elders?

The scientists analyzed records from more than 46,000 Britons who died between 2010 and 2014. All were at least 60 years old. The data included general practitioners’ records on blood pressure, measured at nearly every visit.

The analysis shows that people had falling blood pressure for more than a decade before death. The drop in systolic blood pressure was more than 10 mm Hg for the majority of the individuals. This drop was not due to treatment for hypertension, although it was steeper for those with high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure or stroke.

The scientists admit that they need more research to fully understand the causes of falling blood pressure. They suggest, however, that these findings may require doctors to pay attention when an older patient has a substantial drop in blood pressure.

Falling Blood Pressure Is Sending a Message:

In a related commentary, Dr. James Goodwin describes an elderly patient of his. She had been taking four drugs at high doses for many years just to keep her systolic blood pressure (the top number) down below 160. Then, over just three months, she needed fewer and fewer drugs. She was able to get her systolic pressure under 140 with just one drug. Naturally, the lady is thrilled. The doctor, on the other hand, is worried. Through her falling blood pressure, his patient is telling him, though she does not know it, that she is probably in the final few years of her life.

He muses:

“The challenge for physicians treating the very elderly is when to “let go,” when to stop urging more social engagement, more exercise, more food, and to realize that our patients are near death. No physician wants to clutter the last 10 to 20 months of a person’s life with irrelevant concerns and activities.”

4 Thoughts Shared

Harold J

Houston Tx

December 8, 2017 at 7:03 pm

I experienced acute kidney failure in 2001. It was immediately necessary to take multiple BP meds. This continued for several years while on dialysis. Even after a transplant, i have had to take modest dosages of two meds. This continued for more than 10 years until a year ago when my blood pressure was routinely lower. I now take one med at a lower dosage every other day. Guess I better get my affairs in order.

gardencat

Texas

December 8, 2017 at 2:49 pm

I am in my 60’s and had periods of low blood pressure off and on for several years, with accompanying lethargy and fatigue. Doctors kept telling me they were happy my bp was on the low side–no concern for my reduced quality of life. Finally landed with a doctor who had me wear a heart monitor for a month. A complete heart block was detected and a pacemaker installed. Bp is normal now.

My experience was not quite what this article is getting at . . . but it is another instance of low blood pressure indicating a problem.

Maggie

Houston TX

December 8, 2017 at 2:40 pm

This is a very concerning article. I am a 68 year old white female. About 2 years ago, I started taking 2000 mg of taurine to lower my blood pressure and stopped taking Enalapril. When on Enalapril, my controlled blood pressure was still about 132/80. Now, it’s running 120/67, and I’ve been attributing this lower pressure to the success of taurine. I hope it doesn’t mean I’m in the last years of my life! This article is interesting, but other than saying statistically it’s concerning, it doesn’t offer any theories about why lower blood pressure could be a signal of a declining life.

Mickey

Fl

December 8, 2017 at 9:48 am

My thoughts are related to he lack of information a Doctor gives to a patient that is relevant to the rest of their life. I don’t think the Doctor should decide whether to clutter up the patient’s last days or not.

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